MEDIA RELEASE

Inquiry into Modern Slavery Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 – report tabled

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (the Committee) today tabled the Committee’s report for the Inquiry into Modern Slavery Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.

The Committee’s report made 4 recommendations.

The Chair of the Committee, Mrs Elizabeth Kikkert MLA, said: ‘From the evidence received, the Committee recognises and supports the intent of the Bill and does not preclude legislation being required in this space.  However, the Committee recommends that the ACT Legislative Assembly does not pass the Bill in its current form.  In light of the evidence provided by the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the findings from the McMillan Review of the federal system, there is currently provision for changes that could be made in the interim to the existing arrangements to improve procurement practices relating to modern slavery. This could be through the creation of a collaborative oversight body from various ACT Government agencies in the first instance.’

The Committee is grateful for the submissions received and for the contributions of witnesses during the public hearing.

The Committee’s report is available on the Assembly’s webpage at: https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/recent-reports

Under the Assembly’s standing orders, the ACT Government is required to respond to committee reports within four months of tabling.

STATEMENT ENDS
Thursday, 22 June 2023

For further information please contact:

Committee Chair, Mrs Elizabeth Kikkert MLA, on (02) 62051405

Committee Secretary on (02) 62050129 or LACommitteePA@parliament.act.gov.au